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The WW.TC, a modern classic by Girard-Perregaux
Since introduction in 2001, the WW.TC world time chronograph by Girard-Perregaux remains to be among the brand´s most popular models.
The base of this success is a mixture of form and function, combined in a most unique creation.
World time indications are a likewise uncommon feature, modern interpretation with an easy-to-use functionality even more so.
The added chronograph sets the WW.TC further apart and the unusual design of this large watch makes it stand out.
There are exceptionally few watches of comparable functionality and the WW.TC already is an icon for the brand.
Thus it is with good reasons earlier editions are sought after; such as the "USA-76", a model commemorating the ties of Girard-Perregaux and BMW Oracle Racing, which was
choosen to be prominently represented in a world-wide TV campaign lately.
limited edition "USA-76"
introduced 2005
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TV spot by ALLIANZ, featuring WW.TC "USA-76"
The WW.TC "Financial" expands the range of world time watches in a practical way, which offers an additional benefit for future owners:
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WW.TC "Financial", steel
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A world premiere: GIRARD-PERREGAUX presents the ww.tc - Financial
The new model represents a world´s first: the first chronograph to indicate the different times around the world as well as the business hours of four major stock markets. A technological and aesthetic tour de force, this innovative, high-performance timepiece combines the two exciting worlds of finance and horology.
The ww.tc by GIRARD-PERREGAUX continues to be among the most sought after individual models of the brand. Timeless elegance blends well with resolutely modern functions. These watches can be used to read, simultaneously and very easily, the time in twenty-four different international cities, of which each represents a time zone. All together allows for World Wide Time Control or short, ww.tc.
The world time indication, an ideal feature for international travellers and businessmen, has been added with a novel feature in the ww.tc – financial automatic chronograph, which is launched at the end of this year. For the very first time, a watch now indicates the different times around the world as well as the opening hours of four major stock markets - Hong Kong, London, New York and Tokyo – for business.
The ingenious system of the ww.tc, a propietory development of GIRARD-PERREGAUX, utilizes two mobile discs rotating around the dial.
A 24-hour ring is synchronised with the hour hand, allowing to read the time of a different time zone in a glimpse.
A second disc is adjusted by means of a secondary crown at 9 o’clock; this disc displays the names of the twenty-four cities and the business hours of the four stock markets. Actual times are indicated by means of a red pointer rotating on the hour ring in anti-clockwise direction; in case the red pointer is located opposite of one of the time-slots, the respective stock exchange market is open.
The chronograph’s new exterior finishing underlines the unique lines of this model, combining a strong personality with delicate classicism. In keeping with the brand’s passion for detail, the watch has been perfectly designed and makes for a comfortable yet highly legible companion. The hour ring includes a day/night contrast, which both improves legibility and makes for an harmonious counterplay with the large-numbered, silver or anthracite dial.
The large case of 43mm in diameter is crafted in solid Pink Gold and houses the caliber GP033C0 automatic movement. Powered by a gold rotor on ceramic ball bearings, this sophisticated mechanism, designed and manufactured by the GIRARD-PERREGAUX Manufacture, can be admired through an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Two limited, individually-numbered series are planned for ardent steel-case enthusiasts: five hundred will combine this discreet metal with a silver dial, the other five hundred with an anthracite one.
based on press release by Girard-Perregaux |
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"FTC" animation, available at Girard-Perregaux official website www.Girard-Perregaux.com
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WW.TC "Financial", rose gold
The 2006 model year benefits from subtle, but thorough changes. These account for a new look, improved wearing comfort and enhanced useability:
- The slightly modified bezel is wider than earlier models, which makes for a more elegant and still substantial appearance.
- The thinner case profile caters a strong demand for less bulky but still substantial watches. The new case geometry comforts watch enthusiasts with smaller wrist in a more pleasing way.
- The slightly reduced weight leads to improved wearing comfort and balance.
- Longer lugs futher improve the wearing comfort.
- Redesigned pushers in a triangular shape improves haptics and useability.
- New straps, widened towards the clasp, make for a more substantial feel, as well as a more comfortable fit on the wrist.
- A new mechanism of the world time indication ensures an even more smooth and more exact setting of the travel time.
All these make for a true evolution and the new WW.TC "Financial" of course integrates all of them.
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WW.TC Financial
Data sheet:
- Cases:
- Diameter: 43.00 mm
- Height: 13.40 mm
- Crowns: screw-in, water resistant
- Crystal: anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal
- Case back: sapphire crystal, case-back fastened with 6 screws
- Water resistance: 30 meter
- Movement: GP 033C0, automatic GP 3300 manufacture movement with chronograph and propietory GP world time indication
- Caliber: 13 ligne
- Frequency: 28’800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz.)
- Jewels: 63
- Power reserve: minimum of 46 hours
- Functions: hour, minute, small second, chronograph (seconds, 30-minutes-register, 12-hour-counter), date, world time indication
- Strap: crocodile leather strap
- Buckle: folding deployant in steel or rose gold (matching case)
References:
- steel/grey dial/black strap: 49805-11-151-BA6A (limited to 500 pieces)
- steel/silvered dial/black strap: 49805-11-254-BA6A (limited to 500 pieces)
- rose gold/anthracite dial/honey strap: 49805-52-151A-BACA
- rose gold/silvered dial/honey strap: 49805-52-253-BACA
Estimated provisional retail price (excl. taxes):
- steel: region of 13.860 CHF
- rose gold: region of 25.570 CHF
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WW.TC "Financial", movement/world time and chronograph cadrature
A note on the movement:
Like with every WW.TC model, the WW.TC "Financial" bears an automatic chronograph movement with world time indication based on
the brand´s own caliber GP3300. The world time cadrature is another propietory development by Girard-Perregaux.
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WW.TC "Financial", steel
Preliminary subjective conclusions:
Based on impressions during SIHH earlier this year, the 2006 evolution of the basic WW.TC model features several thorough
improvements. These are likely to win the WW.TC new hearts and wrists, mostly due to the fact the 2006 models are more elegant and comfortable than earlier units.
The new financial indication of the "FTC" is interesting and practical, with no other watch to offer such combination.
Certainly it is a not a highly technical addition and more a new twist by means of a relatively subtle change.
Nonetheless, the WW.TC already is much coveted in the financial and business world due to the practical features.
Therefore it seems to be likely the enhanced functionality will broaden the interest in the world time watches by Girard-Perregaux.
Given the ongoing cooperation of Girard-Perregaux and Allianz, one of the world´s leading financial service providers, in the BMW Oracle Racing project, the new "FTC" is introduced on an even more promising background.
At the same time, the new "FTC" is an interesting for watch enthusiasts in search of a special piece. It is an unique watch which features all elements which account for the success, but adds some more points of attraction.
In this it is certainly an interesting piece and, keeping in mind steel cased WW.TC models are not available other than in limited editions, for collectors at the same time.
Therefore the "FTC" seems to fall on fertile ground, whether you are attracted by the design or the function!
Peter
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